Healthy Lifestyle
• Continue to floss once and brush teeth
twice daily. Continue to see your dentist.
• Wear hearing protection when exposed to
loud noise such as music or if you work in loud conditions. Wear protective equipment when you participate in sports.
• Eat three meals each day. Don’t skip breakfast. Choose water
instead of sports drinks, soda or juice. Eat colorful fruits and vegetables, whole grains and lean sources of
protein. Have three or more
servings of low fat dairy products daily. Limit candy, chips, fast food and junk food.
• Be physically active with play, games,
physical education, recreation or organized spots. Do something every day that makes you
sweat. Try to be active for an hour each day. Drink plenty of water during physical activity to prevent heat cramps,
exhaustion and heat stroke.
• Limit screen time (TV, video, DVD,
computer) as a way to stay physically active.
• Stay connected to family and live with your
own clear rules. Peer pressure can be both positive and
negative. As you leave high
school, it is normal to drift away from some of
your old friends as you make new ones. Evaluate friendships to make
sure they are good for you.
• Try getting involved with your community
or cultural or religious activities if they interest you.
• Take responsibility for yourself. Keep your life organized. Make sure you are at work or school on time. Meet
deadlines.
• Stay interested in the news and in the outside
world through newspaper, internet, and radio and
television news.
• We all experience stress and the
transition to adulthood is full of ups and downs. Work to find ways that work for you to handle stress. People at this stage in life are learning
how to do the things in life they enjoy, building relationships with
friends, making decisions about
their future, and learning to live by
their values. If you are feeling overwhelmed, talk to your pediatrician so
we can help you.
• It is important for you to have accurate
information about sexuality, physical development and contraception.
Abstaining from sexual intercourse is the safest way to prevent
pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Many people do not realize that STIs can be transmitted through oral or anal
sex. If you are sexually active, make sure you use
contraception. We recommend that
young women who are sexually active see a
gynecologist.
Safety
• You should not smoke, drink or use drugs,
inhalants, anabolic steroids or diet pills. You may be worried about friends who seem out of control. If you are engaging in risky behaviors talk to your pediatrician. Never use drugs or alcohol at any age when you are driving, boating, swimming, cycling or
operating farm equipment.
• When in situations where alcohol is
present have a plan for a designated driver.
• When in dating relationships, remember
that no one should force you to do something you don’t want to
do. Any sexual activity should be something that both partners want. No means no. Think ahead of time how you will handle this.
• Two things to remember—be careful with
drug and alcohol use and avoid risky places and relationships.
• Always wear your seat belt and a helmet
when riding a bike, motorcycle or ATV.
• Don’t keep guns where you live. If you must, protect yourself and others by locking guns and ammunition
separately, with the key in a safe place where children cannot get it.
• Manage conflicts nonviolently. Walk away if necessary. Never stay in a relationship if there is violence. Healthy dating is based on respect, concern, and doing things you both like
to do.
